Shark FlexStyle vs SpeedStyle

Listing facts side by side

Both listings give similar weights and power ratings. The real difference is what each tool is built to do.

Compare every Shark styler →

The FlexStyle: dryer and styler in one

The FlexStyle's handle twists at a hinge. Straight, it takes curlers and brushes like an Airwrap. Twisted, it becomes an angled dryer that you hold in the usual way. The Auto-Wrap curlers use Coanda airflow to wrap hair around the barrel, then a cool burst sets the curl. The oval brush adds volume at the root and the paddle brush smooths.

It suits people who want curls or bouncy blow-dries several times a week and like having one tool that does everything. Our step-by-step FlexStyle guide explains how to switch modes and use each attachment.

The 5-in-1 set includes a diffuser and concentrator for dryer mode, so it covers curly hair and sleek drying too. Shark sells cheaper 3-in-1 bundles with fewer attachments and gift sets with 32 mm and 24 mm curlers, so check which bundle you are buying.

The SpeedStyle: a dryer with smart heads

The SpeedStyle Pro is a compact, high-velocity dryer. Each styling tool clips on and the dryer adjusts heat and airflow to suit it, so there is less guesswork. Scalp Shield mode lowers the air temperature for drying at the roots, which Shark says is designed to protect new hair growth from extreme heat. Built-in ionic technology aims to reduce frizz compared with air drying.

The straight and wavy version in our guides has three tools; Shark also sells a version for all hair types with a DefrizzFast diffuser and an Express Touch-Up brush. A FLEX version adds a folding handle for travel. None of these curl hair like the FlexStyle's curlers.

Shark's listings describe the SpeedStyle Pro as compact, and its smaller body makes it easier to pack than the FlexStyle with its curler set. A cool shot setting locks in a style at the end of a blow-dry. If you want a dryer that thinks about heat for you and do not care about curls, it is the simpler tool.

Which suits your hair

If drying speed is your main concern, see our guide to hair dryers for thick hair. If curls are the goal, our Airwrap-style multi-stylers guide compares the FlexStyle with its rivals.

• You want curls or waves: FlexStyle, as the SpeedStyle has no curling barrels.
• You want fast, smooth drying: SpeedStyle, with its concentrator and smoothing tools.
• Curly hair you want to define, not reshape: either with a diffuser; check that the bundle you buy includes one.
• Short hair: both work; the SpeedStyle's touch-up brush suits quick styling on shorter cuts.

Care, filters and safety

Both have rear filters that catch lint and dust. When they clog, airflow drops and the tool can get hot or pause. Clean them as the manual recommends; we explain the FlexStyle steps in cleaning the FlexStyle filter. If either tool keeps stopping, our FlexStyle troubleshooting guide covers the common causes.

Register either product with Shark to activate the two-year guarantee stated on the listings.

Note:Both are mains appliances. Keep them away from water, unplug before cleaning or changing a damaged part, and stop using them if the cable or plug is damaged.

Frequently asked questions

Can the SpeedStyle curl hair? Not like the FlexStyle. You can add bend with a round brush, but it has no Auto-Wrap curlers.

Is the FlexStyle a good hair dryer? Yes, its twist hinge turns it into a conventional dryer, though its main appeal is styling.

Do the attachments swap between them? No. Each tool uses its own attachments.

Which is lighter? The listings give 662 g for the SpeedStyle Pro and 700 g for the FlexStyle, so the difference is small.